Post-26/11 action would have stopped attacks, says Nirmala Sitharaman

Sitharaman said all countries globally either supported us or stood by us for the relationship which PM had built with them over the years.

Nirmala Sitharaman. (Photo: PTI)

Mysuru: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said assertive action against terror groups, post 26/11 attack on Mumbai, would have prevented many strikes by terrorists including the recent attack on a convoy of security personnel at Pulwama.

After releasng a book "Facets of terrorism in India" authored by R.N. Kulkarni, former officer of Intelligence Bureau, on Wednesday, she said "all countries globally either supported us or stood by us for the relationship which Prime Minister Narendra Modi had built with them over the years (post the air strike on Balakot).

She was irked with the response of few individuals, saying "they ask for proof", and media's inquisitiveness while reporting security issues. "Freedom of speech is important, we are an active democracy, we need to question but security of nation is important and protection of country alone is the focus," she added.

Speaking on Terrorism, she said, "Terrorism in India is like non communicable diseases. It can be individual, ideological or sponsored by states. They may be interconnected too. It hits each one of us, not in a systematic fashion. It is moving in at unprecedented speed. Symbolic attacks are becoming very big. An act of terrorism serves two purposes, one destruction and causing fear. No one country is immune from it. In some countries it is more frequent, some countries it is less. They are individuals or groups which this Country is confronting over past 70 years. It is as good as an army attacking us, but not army," she said.

Speaking about the book, she said " the book is relevant for all times. While the book is written by an insider, someone from such service like IB which consists of unsung heroes, would be more authentic to be informed better, as they are authoritarian sources."

She participated in Shakthi Kendra convention and intellectuals' meet and highlighted on swift action by PM Narendra Modi and appealed to the people to support the BJP for a decisive leadership.